Cape Parrot

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Cape Parrot

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Tribe:	Psittacini
Genus:	Poicephalus
Species:	P. robustus

Binomial name

Poicephalus robustus
(Gmelin, 1788)

The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) is the largest of the Poicephalus parrots.

[edit] Classification

The Cape Parrot is now classified as a distinct species separate from the closely related Poicephalus fuscicollis, which is beginning to be called the Un-cape Parrot. The Un-cape Parrot species has two subspecies, the Brown-necked Parrot (P. f. fuscicollis) and the Grey-headed Parrot (P. f. suahelicus). Prior to clarification from recent DNA studies these two parrot subspecies of the Un-cape Parrot were grouped together as being conspecific with the nominate Poicephalus robustus robustus, the former name for the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus).

[edit] Conservation status

The Cape parrot is an endangered species. Hundreds of volunteers do an annual count in May which they have called the "Cape Parrot Big Birding Day". Although, the population is difficult to count because the birds' habitats have become fragmented and because they fly long distances for food, the population in the wild seems to have increased from about 500 specimens in May 2000 to over 1000 in May 2006. Their habitat is being eroded mostly due to logging of African Yellowwood trees, and they have suffered from the fatal Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) viral infection. The Cape Parrot is now World Conservation Union (IUCN) classified as an endangered species. The IUCN former least concern status, dating from the time when the Cape parrot was considered conspecific to the far more common Brown-necked Parrot, has been superseded. Over one hundred Cape Parrots are found in aviculture and its survival may depend on captive breeding programs. It is unusual as a pet parrot. Trade and export of wild-caught Cape Parrots has been made illegal by the international CITES agreement (appendix list II) and by South African law.